Root Canal Therapy

Posted March 28, 2016byDr. Vahadi

A Healthier, Stronger Tooth, with Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is the chamber inside your tooth root which connects the nerves, blood vessels, and other dental tissues to the jaw bone. The canal and pulp tissues are the pathway for nutrients to travel up from the jaw and keep the tooth supplied with necessary minerals. Root canal therapy is the process of removing and replacing these tissues when the pulp and/or root canal become infected, alleviating the pain and dangers of internal tooth decay.

Treating Tooth Infection and Damage

Tooth infection, or tooth decay, begins when oral bacteria attack and weaken the protective, mineralized layer of enamel around a tooth, and then infect its main structure (called dentin). In many cases, tooth decay and the cavity it forms can be treated with a tooth-colored filling; however, if bacteria reach the pulp and the tissues inside of it, then root canal therapy will be necessary to save the tooth.

Patients with cracked, fractured, or broken teeth may also be candidates for root canal therapy even if the tooth has not yet become obviously infected. Removing the exposed tissues can prevent internal infection from setting in. In such cases, a dental crown or other restoration will be utilized to protect the damaged tooth.

The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Besides the obvious benefit of saving your tooth, there are several benefits to undergoing root canal therapy, including:

The elimination of pain associated with severe tooth infection

Improved biting and chewing function

Minimal discomfort during the procedure (especially with the use of Oraqix® local anesthesia)

Preserving the healthy tooth structure that remains by avoiding the need for tooth extraction